A/RES/58/177 Commending the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons for the activities undertaken so far, for the catalytic role that he plays in raising the level of consciousness about the plight of internally displaced persons and for his efforts to promote a comprehensive strategy that focuses on prevention as well as better protection and assistance and addressing the development needs of internally displaced persons, Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/51 of 23 April 2003, 2 and recalling the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, 3 regarding the need to develop global strategies to address the problem of internal displacement, Deploring practices of forced displacement and their negative consequences for the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by large groups of populations, and noting that the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court 4 defines the deportation or forcible transfer of population as a crime against humanity and the unlawful deportation or transfer of the civilian population, as well as ordering the displacement of the civilian population, as war crimes, Noting the increasing dissemination, promotion and application of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement when dealing with situations of internal displacement, Welcoming the cooperation established between the Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, and encouraging further strengthening of this collaboration in order to promote better protection, assistance and development strategies for internally displaced persons, Acknowledging with appreciation the important and independent contribution of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and other humanitarian agencies in protecting and assisting internally displaced persons, in cooperation with relevant international bodies, Recalling its resolution 56/164 of 19 December 2001, 1. Welcomes the report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons; 5 2. Expresses its appreciation to those Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations that have provided protection and assistance to internally displaced persons and have supported the work of the Representative of the Secretary-General; Encourages the Representative of the Secretary-General, through 3. continuous dialogue with Governments and all intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned, to continue his analysis of the causes of internal displacement, the needs and rights of those displaced, measures of prevention and ways to strengthen protection, assistance and solutions for internally _______________ 2 See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2003, Supplement No. 3 (E/2003/23), chap. II, sect. A. 3 A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III. 4 Official Records of the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court, Rome, 15 June–17 July 1998, vol. I: Final documents (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.02.I.5), sect. A. 5 See A/58/393. 2